Agricultural implement and tine construction therefor



Oct. 6, 1953 E. w. PETERSON 2,654,197

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT AND TINE CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR Filed NOV. 7, 1947v I N VEN TOR. fm; W Pin-2.90M

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 6, 1953 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT AND TINECONSTRUCTION THEREFOR Earl W. Peterson, Chicago, Ill., assignor toDearborn Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of DelawareApplication November 7, 1947, Serial No. 784,577

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to agricultural implements; and moreparticularly, to a toothed or tined cultivating implement and a methodof attaching the teeth or tines therein.

An example of the device of this invention is that commonly known as aweeder. This comprises a supporting frame to which are attached a numberof flexible teeth or tines. Generally, these teeth are arranged intransversely spaced relationship in several successive rows, the teethin each row being offset so that the area worked over is thoroughlysubjected to the weeding action. It may be noted here that-indistinction to the row cultivators-the crop itself is subjected to theweeding action, the teeth or tines not being so spaced or the weeder sodirected as to avoid the crop plants. However, because of thedifferences in root structure, the tines will remove the weeds withoutadverse effect on the crop and will provide light cultivation throughthe breaking of the soil crust aiding in seed bed aeration and promotingvigorous crops. Since the unit draft force required is relatively small,the weeder may be made quite broad and as it does not require theprecise steering needed with a row cultivator, it may be operated atrelatively high speeds and a considerable acreage of land covered perday. For this reason, it is desirable that the weeder be as light aspossible consistent with the demands of frame rigidity and durability.

These weeders are quite simple in construction but there is oneconsiderable problem involved and that is the method of attaching theteeth or tines to the framework. In the first place, the number of theseelements is much greater than that of the corresponding ground engagingelements used in other cultivators. Fastening each tine separately is atime-consuming procedure, expensive in its requirement for duplicatedfastening mechanism, and results in a weakening of the frame because ofthe large number of fastening apertures required. Individual fasteningsare further undesirable because they limit the tine spacings and offsetswhich may be employed. Further, since the teeth are inherentlyresilient, the conventional fastening means are continually subjected tovibrational stresses which sooner or later cause them to loosen or thetines to work out of alignment.

An object of this invention, therefore, is to devise a means offastening teeth or tines to an agricultural implement in a group ratherthan individually. Another object is to provide such a fastening meanswhich will be proof against loosening under the vibrational stressesimposed by the resiliency of the teeth. Yet another object is to devisea mounting in which the individual teeth are freely adjustable to allowvariation in spacing between teeth in one row or in offset as betweenteeth in successive rows. A further object is to fasten the tines sothat neither the tines nor the frame are unduly weakened by reason ofattaching holes. Still another object is to devise a fastening whichwill impart and maintain a precise alignment--vertical1y, transverselyand longitudinally-to the tines so secured. Another object is to createa fastening which, in spite of its strength, will be light. A finalobject is to devise a fastening which will be economical to manufactureand assemble.

Each of these ends is attained in the structure disclosed here. Thetines may be assembled and attached in gangs with the widest possiblelatitude of individual adjustment and certainty of maintained alignment.The fastening is secure and yet may be applied in a minimum of time andwith maximum economy. Far from weakening either the frame or tines, thefastening shown actually serves as a reinforcing for both, and,particularly in the case of the tines, distributes the stresses imposedin an area in which they may best be resisted. The fastening is light inweight and may be securely locked.

While a specific form of implement is shown, it will be readilyunderstood that the invention disclosed may be applied to otherimplements presenting a like fastening problem.

With these considerations in view, the invention consists of the devicedescribed in the accompanying specification, claimed in the followingclaims and shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a weeder embodying the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale showingthe components of the device.

Figure 3 is a front fragmentary elevation of the device as assembledFigure 4 is a section showing the assembled device taken on the line l4of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing the offset spacing of thetines in successive rows.

Referring first to Figure 1, a weeder is shown at 5 having a centerframe section 6 and two end frame sections 1 hinged to the former at 8and which may be swung upwardly and inwardly as shown in dotted line toreduce the span of the device when it is inoperative in transport.Attached to the center frame sectiont in an A frame 9 comprising forwardstruts l0 attached at their lower ends to the lower longitudinal athree-point lift attachment of a common type the other two elementsbeing thepins carried rails 16 permanently joined at each end by theprevents their loosening under vibration. The bottom bolts furthersecure the attaching angle which, far from weakening the basic structureas do many other fastening means, actually reinforces the framesections. While an angular coniormation is shown in the nestingparts, itwill be iinderstobd'that' thisimay be mddi fieclfor ex- 'ampietoa'qhadfint-ifdesird.

Although a specific embodiment of the device sections I 1 forming actangular box to which'flo is shown, it is the intention to cover by theclaims the tines l8 are secured. These'tineswas best seen in Figure 4,are preferably made iremirectangular stock, the upper half as at jaserving as a leaf spring of consid'rablme'xibill'ty while-'*such"variations:therein as are within the allow- 1"- abie'snopem theinvention.

The invention claimed is:

Hahn larieultirial implement having a frame,

the lower part 20 is formedto ai rdundfiaving ifgroufidlengiagingftines,and a removable clampsubstantial rigidity and sharpened to a point 2|.The lower part 22 of the rbetafigular sectioii is bent substantiallythrough a quadrantending in a horizontal tangent 23 from which itb'e'n'd's up- "'ingme'mbeffor securing a group of said tines to salidframeg salid frame including a member havadjacent angularly disposedsurfaces; char- "acterized by the upper portion of each of said Wardlythrough forfthe Vertical reach 24 and 20 tines having an attachablesection bent to conis trien -tumea 'ovee to rorne a"reverseflangeor"hook sction es. uhe poitionsw aiid-taor tnese tinesaiorm am attaehablese'ction'and are secured in place fby the attti'el iihg angle E26havi=ng an upee: leg: 2 I? and a; iow'er -leg 2s seated beneatlr -thetangent ---'-'1tiortiori '23-oi th tine The inn'er 'surfaees 'of thetangeiit portrai -2 e and thewertical reach 2 nest ag aii'ist" the lowerflange 2 9--and web su "bf the ffam rail t. 'rhs anglzesissecured-tothe'weB so oi uie nan im-spaced bolts 3i e'xtehdingthroiigh q ioles lii ahd- 33- in theia-ng1e" aiid web respecti iely.re-' 1s; surt-ner'nocked i1r place by adj ac'e'nt blts f3 4* extencuntnrougn the lower 1r ran-hanger 9 and the' 1bvver Ief ZE-bflthe angle26. #Tne easemr asseriibly afnd adjustmentwith tliis "fievibeisqoelievedtd bebbvious from -the fdregoing. Theanglnemay be neidmanuauyin the pdsition snowman-Figure 2- and- 'the iiidividual tines' hangenutby engaging theirhooksection- "over-the topof the upper -ieg z1.SA-fterthe tinesare rougmy spaced; the angle -2 sand tines suspendedther-eon are" nested against: the rail K i 5- a iidfiielw therefivh'ilthe bolts --3 I? are inserted E a-rid *Ioo's'ely fastenbd. 3If-hetines-can"tlieri be'iid- -j1istedto the precise-spacing=dsiredsuchasthat shown in Figure '5 by' li'ghtly tappingthrnbn the'je'xp'osed reverse flangesf fi for-eirarnple---asindicatedliythearrowinl 'igure 3; Ih'e bolts?! are thentig'htened andthe device {further-Hitched =by the insertion tightening bfbottpni boltsfl. "ItWill be "noted *that this construction; while "permitting widelatitude ofadjustment} provides for accurate andiriaintain'edalignmenfiof fiie f'fforn'i tosa'id angular-1y -dispos'ed"frame surfaces""forenga'gement therewith, said' removable'clarnpmember having atleastone 'surface ada'pted to engage said"attach'aible sectionofeabhtine,

and said frame member for"drawingsaiid'clamp- "ing member'into firmengagement with each tine t positioned between saidtwo" members, andmeans for 'supp'orting'each' tine 'indep'eniiehtlyof the ac- "tion ofsaid securing "means comprising a hook hook 7 section 'having an openend disposed down- -"Waid1y'when the tine is substantially in a normalground working- -position, saiid' hook section en- 35 "ga"gingis'jidclamping member 'to support the weight "of s'aid tine when" saidsecuring means are loosened.

2. A tine for anagriculturalimplement having a ground-engaging portionand an' upper portion 40 adapted-to be engaged-betweenaframe member andaeiam member; characterized bysaid upper portionhavingaanattachable-section comprising a pair of angularlydisposed surfacesadapted to engage-said frame, said upper portion terminatmg in a hooksection overlyingaand spaced outwardly -f rom one of saidsurfaces andadapted-to A engage said-clamp member; said-hook section-being-formed in:part by the'reverse sideeof one of said frame-engaging surfaces; and.having its epen end-disposeddownwardly when said-tine is in working--positionwhereby .-said--.tinemay be --suspended from-said clampmember.

EARL-W.' PETERSON.

" individual Itis"fit"necessary"twpifmtetss Refcrences Cit ed mi thefile 0f this patent the tines or form them in shapes which decreasetheir structural strength. *"Ihebending fdrces are distributedthrough-the quadrant? section, rather than being localized ata"-paiticular=point,

"due'td-"the' clamping 'actionbetween thdplane ""432;'I'68 surfaces ofthe rail flange and lower angle'iegI The times cannotc'ant sidewar'dlynor rotateabout a vertical axis. The inherent"resiliencyoi theat-"'tachingarigle sofar as thebolts 3 l are concerned when disposedin'unsupportedspans'betwen fad- 'j'acent' tines keeps thebolts undertension and TUNITED STATES" PATENTS

